One of Europe's leading experts on water treatment says the discovery of Legionella bacteria at a sports centre in Walton-on-the-Naze is very serious. 

Lifestyles has been closed until 2017 after a man contracted Legionnaires' disease after visiting the facility.

The Department of Health said there had been 20 reported cases of the bacteria across the east of England. 

Allen Wilson, from the Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers, told BBC Essex: "Depending on your immune system it can be fatal.

"Smokers are especially vulnerable, as well as people with poor respiratory systems, as they are with any epidemic."

An Essex man has been arrested on suspicion of preparing for a terrorist act, police have said.

Image source, Getty/BBC

Counter-terrorism officers detained the 49-year-old at Stansted Airport on Monday afternoon. 

The suspect, from south Essex, had been travelling back from Istanbul.

The Metropolitan Police said the arrest did not concern activities in the UK.

He was bailed until February and detectives searched a property in the county.

BBC Weather

Feeling much milder today with temperatures picking up as the day progresses and some places reaching highs of 12C (54F).

Sunny spells are forecast once the clouds and fog clear but it will also become breezier, particularly on the coasts. 

Feeling a lot milder too. 

BBC Weather has more local forecasts. 

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Good morning - how are you? 

Join us until 18:00 on this mild Wednesday for the latest news, sport, weather and travel for the county.

As ever, I love hearing your stories. Share them with me via email, Twitter, external or Facebook, external.

Robbie Neilson's first game as MK Dons boss ends in a 4-1 defeat by Yeovil in the Checkatrade Trophy second round.

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Regular updates for Essex Live have now come to an end for the day, although any breaking news will appear here overnight. 

Here's a reminder of the top stories from today: 

• Police have carried out further investigations in Fox Crescent, Chelmsford this afternoon after a man and woman were found dead in a car yesterday
• A leisure centre in Walton-on-the-Naze will remain closed for the rest of the year after Legionella bacteria was found there
• A takeaway delivery driver who braved flood water to get pizza to a hungry mum has been named the country's best

Have a great evening.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

The trust which runs mental health care in north Essex has responded to a health watchdog report which calls for improvements to its services.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report on the North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust said it was concerned about mixed sex accommodation, but also said 95% of patients gave a positive feedback about the staff and their experience of care on wards.

It said the trust was "improving inpatient environments".

Christopher Butler, the interim chief executive of the  said: "The Board of the Trust is committed to seeing through the investments it continues to make in improving inpatient environments, ensuring consistency in its work, and helping people to support patients whilst holding people to account for their work."

Nic Rigby
BBC News

The health trust that runs mental health services in North Essex has been told improvements are needed by the Chief Inspector of Hospitals.

The North Essex Partnership Trust provides support for 17,000 people in North Essex.

An inspection by the Care Quality Commission, external (CQC) in 2015 rated the service as "requiring improvement".

A re-inspection found improvements were still needed in several areas. 

The report says: "We were concerned about the safety of some of the ward environments. 

"Many of these were issues that we had raised at our last inspection.

"Staff did not always assess risks on wards or manage risk from ligature points (from which patients could hang themselves) well; including on wards with poor lines of sight."

Gareth George
BBC Look East

Image source, Facebook/Tom Putt/Nikki Willis

A resident on Fox Crescent in Chelmsford has paid tribute to a "well mannered" woman, whose body was found alongside a man's in a car yesterday.

It's not yet known how the pair, named locally as Tom Putt and Nikki Willis (pictured), died. 

Speaking to BBC Look East this afternoon, Angelica Medici told me: "I'm very shocked that it's happened to a nice family near Christmas. 

"[Nikki] was well mannered, pleasant and nice person. You never saw her smoking or drinking on the street. She was a pleasant and well managed young lady."

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Low cloud with spread in from the west tonight, turning misty and foggy but not as extensive as last night. 

Mainly dry overnight but the odd spot of drizzle possible. Temperatures down to 3C (34F) across the region.

Any mist or fog will clear tomorrow to leave a rather cloudy but dry day. 

Feeling exceptionally mild, with highs at 12C (54F).

Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

A man admits killing a man who was stabbed to death in a house in an Essex cul-de-sac.

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Earlier we reported that flights at Stansted Airport were disrupted because of the fog.

The airport has been in touch to say that a majority of its flights have operated on schedule, and has even accepted diversions from other airports including London City Airport. 

A man has admitted unlawfully killing a 35-year-old inside a house in Wivenhoe earlier this year.

Image source, Essex Police

Richard Waterhouse, 31, of no fixed address appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Paul Olney after stabbing him at a property in Denham Close in June.

Essex Police said the pair had been taking drugs with another man, there was a disagreement and Paul ended up being stabbed in the left shoulder. 

The 35-year-old’s body was found later that day.

Det Ch Insp Stephen Jennings said: "Today’s plea has at least spared Mr Olney’s family the trauma of having to endure a trial. 

"Waterhouse has accepted that he lost control and went over the top, unlawfully killing Paul Olney. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

He will be sentenced on Friday. 

The other man was arrested, but later released without charge.

The jury in the trial of three men facing charges after a millionaire was shot in his house has continued its deliberations today after a four-day break.

Timothy Mardon was shot in the leg at his mansion in Sible Hedingham near Halstead in February.

Charlie Simms, 23 of Great Yeldham denies charges including attempted murder and aggravated burglary.

Two other men deny charges including wounding with intent.

Jurors at Chelmsford Crown Court retired on Thursday, and have yet to return their verdicts. 

Two volunteers from Essex have been named winner and runner-up in an international photography competition. 

Greg Wallaker, 21, from Mayland and Krishn Clark-Varma, 23, of Chigwell, took the photographs while working in Bangladesh and Cambodia. 

Their work was judged the best out of more than 300 competitors in the International Citizen Service photography competition, external.  

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

A delivery driver who braved flood water to get pizza to a hungry mum desperate to feed her family has been named the country's best.

Image source, Just Eat/BBC

Dave Palmer from Harlow beat hundreds of fellow workers to scoop the £2,500 top prize at the swanky British Takeaway Awards, external bash in London last night.

After donning black plastic bags around his legs, the 25-year-old waded through water and got to the family on foot. 

Upon winning the prize, Dave of Cafe Pizzeria, said: "It was either me making that delivery or the family potentially not having anything to eat that night, and I couldn’t have that."

Well done Dave.

Fog is affecting planes landing and departing at Stansted Airport, external this afternoon.

There are some delays and cancellations at the Essex terminal.

Passengers are being advised to check with their airline before they travel. 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Tendring District Council

Customers who've bought membership packages at the Lifestyles leisure centre in Walton-on-the-Naze will be compensated, after it was closed until 2017 following the discovery of Legionnaires' Disease bacteria, the council has said. 

Lynda McWillains, cabinet member at Tendring District Council which owns the centre, said the authority was putting together a "comprehensive plan" to tackle the issue.

Richard Smith
BBC Essex

Police can be seen carrying out further investigations in Fox Crescent, Chelmsford this afternoon after a man and woman, named locally as Tom Putt and Nikki Willis were found dead in a car yesterday.

One of the longest serving councillors on Essex County Council, external has died at the age of 87.

Joe Pike, a Conservative who was first elected in 1977, clocked up a total of 39 years in public service - representing Halstead until his death. 

Today, the leader of Essex County Council, David Finch paid tribute: "He treated everyone as equals and even when he was making a political point - it was always done with courtesy."

Image source, Essex County Council